help me devise a plan please

[j20baby]

right, i'm nearly 38 weeks and have 2 birth partners lined up, but not really thought this through properly.

am on my own with dd-7yo, i have tested positive for strep B, so when i am in labour need to be there asap for AB's, was only in labour for 3 hours with dd but was induced so hopefully will have a bit longer to play with.

birth partners-
mum, who inconveniently has just moved across the humber bridge from me, so will be unlikely to be able to come and get me and will have to meet me at the hospital.

friend, who doesn't drive and has 2 dc's of her own, so will have to arrange childcare before she can get to me.

my childcare options-

dd's paternal grandparents, who don't drive but are on the way to the hospital(currently abroad till next sat)

brother, who does drive, but quite often has a drink on an evening but has promised not to from tommorrow, and he lives quite close by.

so, any idea's on a plan of action, if i go into labour, say in the middle of the night? do i wake dd up, while trying to get myself ready, and cats sorted out, while ringing mum, bro, friend and hospital. or ring a taxi?

also, i've been told i need to stay in for 48 hours due to the strep B, so should i get dd a bag ready, for wherever she ends up going?

i'm in a bit of a state with all this and i think its why i can't sleep, sorry for the long post but any idea's will be greatfully received.

thank you

[kidsrus]

pack a bag ready for her and if you are feeling under the weather or have a show ask if she could stay with a school friend for a sleep over.

[lisad123]

pack a bag for DD. If its this week, book taxi to brothers, or if next week paternal grandparents. Call them to tell them you are on the way, so they can be there to greet at taxi, then carry on taxi ride to hospital.

Birthing partners, I would ring both and hope one turns up in time. If they dont, midwifes are lovely too .
Wouldnt worry too much about cats, they can fend for a few hours as long as dry food and water

HTH

[hunkermunker]

Get DD a bag ready.

Have a daisy-chain phone thingummy - so you ring whoever is most reliable out of your mum, bro and friend first and they ring a cab for you (if that's going to be the easiest way for you to get to hospital), then they ring the others on your behalf and each already knows the plan for what happens when you go into labour.

Or you ring your bro and get him to come over, if that's how you're getting to hospital. Then, when he's on his way, you ring your mum and friend (or take your mob and ring them from the car).

Yes, pack a bag for DD, because it'll help yuo relax. Involve her in the packing so she can decide on a favourite toy or PJs to take, etc.

When you say sorting the cats out, what needs doing?

Don't wake DD up before you absolutely need to - sort everything out, then when your lift arrives, lift her then (not YOU lift her, whoever's taking you to hospital - will they drop her off somewhere on the way? Where? Arrange that now).

And good luck! It'll be fine - these things always work out, honest.

[j20baby]

thanks

i thought about waking dd to help me, she weighs over 5 stone so i doubt she'll be getting lifted by anyone and also, would like to make her fully aware of things, after all, i am going to be leaving her for 2 days

if she's had her gp's she wont be going to school, but if she is at my bro's she may be, should i pack school clothes?

re; cats, just making sure they've got food and water and are locked in the kitchen with the litter tray, come to think of it, i'll have to arrange someone to look after them too.

am i worrying for no reason?

[j20baby]

ok more worries, if i do have to get a taxi-what if its a fri/sat night and they can't send one for 2 hours? do you think they'll give me priority? also, what about my bags? will they carry them for me? shall i bring them downstairs?

good idea about taking her to hospital if need be to save time inzi

[WideWebWitch]

If it's Fri Sat you can call an ambulance if no cabs and it's getitng urgent

[WideWebWitch]

What about a home birth, is that a possibility? Because then your brother/whoever would just have to get to you to watch dd.

[lisad123]

I have packed DD a bag even though my parents are coming here to look after her . It has PJs, normal clothes, a set of uniform, her fav book and teddy.
Would agree, if things are getting very quick then get you and dd to hospital and agree pickup from there.
She is old enought to understand.

HTH

[WideWebWitch]

Oh sorry, GBS = not presumably, sorry.

[lisad123]

taxi will carry bags for you from your front hall, so yes put them by the door. Doubt they will give proity, so if they cant come, call ambalance.

[j20baby]

WWW-no due to GBS

i thought an ambulance wont come unless you're ready to push? and if its fri/sat night, they themselves may be really busy, waited for over an hour one time when my brother was fitting

wonder if i could just drive myself

[j20baby]

sorry, meant to say, cats should be ok if they are already in the house, otherwise will have to try and get them in.

[lisad123]

oo inzi, is it terrible to agree with me then hehe

[lisad123]

j20, if i find out you have driven yourself there, i will hunt you down to tell you off

[j20baby]

i probably would if i wasn't such a wimp with pain lisa!

thanks all, its things i've had to consider obviously, but i think i need to sit down and write it all down, based on all the scenarios, just so i know what i'm doing iyswim

inzi-promise you will be one of the first i text

[j20baby]

inzi-don't know neighbours, just moved here, but tbh, they will probably be fine, in or out for a day or 2, its just the naughty older one keeps going back to the old house, and if i haven't picked her up (usually me standing in the garden of old house shouting of her, for days on end until she can finally be bothered to come to me!) then she's going to be left there, as she won't go to noone else and nobody feeds her at that end, although i'm inclined to feel it serves her right for being so stubborn, i don't want her to starve!

[j20baby]

night Inzi-thanks for your input

i was in bed at 9 but got up again as can't sleep, will try again soon